Splint

ABSTRACT

A splint for immobilizing and supporting a fractured limb has a rigid elongate frame member for arranging alongside the limb. A movable member is slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb below the fracture, and a pressure member is mounted to the frame member for engaging the patient&#39;&#39;s body above the fracture. Traction means is provided for applying controlled movement to the movable member away from the fracture. Additional support members may be slidably mounted to the frame member between the pressure member and movable member. All the limb engaging members are symmetrically designed so that they can be mounted in either of two ways to the frame member for use with a right-hand limb or a left-hand limb respectively. The limb engaging parts are made from non-metallic material so that the limb can be X-rayed with the splint in position.

United States Patent 1 Hallett SPLINT 22 Filed: May 10,1971

21 Appl.No.: 141,508

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 15, 1970 Great Britain 23,540/70 [52] US. Cl. 128/85 [51] Int. Cl. A611 5/04 [58] Field of Search 128/85, 84, 87, 86,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,066,190 7/1913 Ellingsworth 128/85 3,089,486 5/1963 Pike 128/90 2,079,567 5/1937 Anderson 128/85 1,196,887 9/1916 Saemann 128/85 590,625 9/1897 Paquette 128/85 [11] 3,738,358 June 12, 1973 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Att0rneyJones & Lockwood [57] ABSTRACT A splint for immobilizing and supporting a fractured limb has a rigid elongate frame member for arranging alongside the limb. A movable member is slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb below the fracture, and a pressure member is mounted to the frame member for engaging the patients body above the fracture. Traction means is provided for applying controlled movement to the movable member away from the fracture. Additional support members may be slidably mounted to the frame member between the pressure member and movable member. All the limb engaging members are symmetrically designed so that they can be mounted in either of two ways to the frame member for use with a right-hand limb or a left hand limb respectively. The limb engaging parts are made from non-metallic material so that the limb can be X-rayed with the splint in position.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIm JUN 1 2191s saw a nr 3 SPLINT This invention relates to a splint for immobilizing and providing support for a fractured limb. The invention further relates to means for providing traction to a fractured limb.

Splints and traction devices are in themselves wellknown, but it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved splint which can also be used to apply traction.

The present invention accordingly provides a splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, and a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage the body of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture.

Preferably at least one support member is slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb at any desired position between the pressure member and the movable member. The traction may be applied by various means such as a screw, or a rack and pinion, or a reel and cord. Preferably at least the frame member and any support member is made substantially entirely of non-metallic material capable of allowing the transmission of X-rays, so that the limb can be X-rayed without removing the splint.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dismantled splint for a leg,

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of one of the support members of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the splint made up for application to the right leg of a patient,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the splint made up for application to the left leg of a patient,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the traction mechanism, and

FIG. 6 shows an underneath view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 5 with the spring cover removed.

Referring to the drawings, the splint comprises a rigid elongate tubular frame member 10 of uniform rectangular cross-section and about 45 inches long. At one end the frame member carries a housing 12 which accommodates a traction mechanism. Projecting from the housing is a handwheel l4 and a cord 16. At its other end the frame member 10 is provided with an insert 18 of reduced rectangular cross-section which is a close sliding fit within a rectangular section passage 20 in a support member 22. The support member 22 is shaped so as to partially encircle the top of the patients leg and fit against his trunk. A lower part 24 extends under the patients leg and an upstanding part 26 fits against the patients trunk between the legs. A foot plate 28 has a rectangular section passage 30 so that it can be slidably mounted to the main part of the frame member 10. The plate has a thicker lower portion 32 to support the heel, and a thinner upper portion 34 to support the ball of the foot. A flange 36 extends along the bottom and one side of the plate to engage the back of the heel and the instep respectively of the foot. The plate is provided with a keyhole slot 38 adapted to receive and retain a ball fitting 40 at the end of the cord 16. The splint may also have a number of leg support members 42. Each support member comprises a curved plate 44 to engage underneath and support a part of the leg, and a rectangular-section tubular part 46 so that it can be slidably mounted onto the main part of the frame member 10. The tubular part is partly split at 48 so as to provide a portion 50 which can be pressed against the frame member 10 so as to clamp the support member in position. The portion 50 has a projecting turned-over flange 52 to which pressure can be applied to effect this clamping.

To assemble the splint, the foot plate 28 is first slid onto the frame member 10, followed by as many support members 42 as are desired. Finally the pressure member 22 is fitted on the end 18. As will be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the various parts can be assembled either way round on the frame member 10, so that the splint can be used for either the right leg as shown in FIG. 3 or the left leg as shown in FIG. 4. The ball 40 can be connected to the keyhole slot 38 either before or after the splint has been applied to the patients leg. In order that the cord 16 shall extend generally parallel to the frame member 10 whichever way round the foot plate 28 is mounted, the housing 12 is shaped so that it can be used in either of two positions at right angles to each other. This is readily seen from the positions of the housing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the traction mechanism which is contained within the housing 12. The handwheel 14 is mounted to a spindle 54 which is journalled between the opposite plates 56, 58 of a U-shaped bracket 60. Between the plates 56, 58 the spindle carries a pulley 62 on which is wound the cord 16. The pulley is provided with ratchet teeth 64 which cooperate with a pawl 66 pivotally mounted at 68 to the plate 58 and urged to contact with the ratchet teeth 64 by means of a spring 70. A lever arm 72 on the pawl extends outside the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the pawl can be manually disengaged when necessary. Below the plate 58 is a cover 74 in which is located a self-winding spring 76. The spring is secured at its outer end 78 to the plate 58 and at its inner end 80 to the spindle 54. The pawl and ratchet allows rotation of the pulley and handwheel in the direction indicated by the arrows A. When the cord 16 is not attached to the foot plate 28, the spring 76 issufficiently strong to rotate the pulley in the direction of the arrow A so as to wind in the cord. For applying traction, however, the handwheel 14 must be used, since the force required is far greater than that provided by the spring 76. To withdraw the cord from the pulley for connection to the foot plate 28, the pawl is released by means of the lever arm 72.

In use, the pressure member 22, the foot plate 28 and the support member 42 are all placed in their respective approximate positions relative to the injured leg.

Then the frame member 10 is threaded first through the foot plate and then through the remaining members until the end part 18 fits into the passage 20 in the pressure member 22. Next the-cord 16 is connected to the foot plate 28 and the foot plate is secured to the patients foot for example by straps or a bandage. As a modification of this, the foot plate could be provided with built-in foot attachment means, for example in the form of a spat or a boot upper. Traction can then be applied by rotating the handwheel 14 which advances the foot plate 28 along the frame member away from the pressure member 22 and away from the fracture. Any padding which may be required can then be inserted and the leg tied to the support members 42 by bandages which extend over the flanges 52 and thereby clamp the support members in position.

Several important advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. In particular, the splint can be dismantled for storage but can by quickly assembled when required. The various parts can be arranged for use with either right or left leg. Furthermore, a variety of different members slidable on the frame member 10 can be provided, according to the particular application. For example a differently shaped pressure member could be provided for engaging the shoulder of the patient in the case of an arm fracture, and similarly a differently shaped movable member would be required for securing to the hand. Support members of different shapes and sizes could also be provided. Thus, a kit of splint parts could be capable of use with an injured limb of almost any size.

Another feature of this invention is that all the parts, with the exception of the traction means at the end of the frame member can be constructed of non-metallic material, such as glass fiber reinforced plastics material. Provided this material is not too thick, X-ray photographs can be taken of the injured limb with the splint still in position since the material will allow the passage of X-rays.

I claim:

1. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, and at least one support member slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb at any desired position between the pressure member and the movable member, the support member having a part which can be urged against the frame member to clamp the support member at any desired position.

2. A splint according to claim 1 wherein said part of the support member is arranged so that it can be urged against the frame member by means used to secure, the limb to the movable member.

3. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, and a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, the movable member and the pressure member located therebetween being slidably removable from one end of the frame member so that they may be individually positioned relative to the injured limb and the frame member subsequently slid into position, the pressure member and the movable member located therebetween, being designed so that they can be mounted to the frame member in either of two ways corresponding to the use of the splint for a left-handed or a righthanded limb respectively.

4. A splint according to claim 3 wherein the frame member is of hollow tubular construction with an insert at one end to provide a mounting for the pressure memher.

5. A splint according to claim 3 which further includes at least one support member slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb at any desired position between the pressure member and the movable member.

6. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, and a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, the traction means comprising a manually operable mechanism contained in a housing mounted to the end of the frame member remote from the pressure member, and operatively connected to the movable member by a flexible cord.

7. A splint according to claim 6 which further includes at least one support member slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb at any desired position between the pressure member and the movable member.

8. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, and a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, the pressure member and the movable member located therebetween, being designed so that they can be mounted to the frame member in either of two ways corresponding to the use of the splint for a left-handed or a right-handed limb respectively. 

1. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, and at least one support member slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb at any desired position between the pressure member and the movable member, the support member having a part which can be urged against the frame member to clamp the support member at any desired position.
 2. A splint according to claim 1 wherein said part of the support member is arranged so that it can be urged against the frame member by means used to secure the limb to the movable member.
 3. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, and a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, the movable member and the pressure member located therebetween being slidably removable from one end of the frame member so that they may be individually positioned relative to the injured limb and the frame member subsequently slid into position, the pressure member and the movable member located therebetween, being designed so that they can be mounted to the frame member in either of two ways corresponding to the use of the splint for a left-handed or a right-handed limb respectively.
 4. A splint according to claim 3 wherein the frame mEmber is of hollow tubular construction with an insert at one end to provide a mounting for the pressure member.
 5. A splint according to claim 3 which further includes at least one support member slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb at any desired position between the pressure member and the movable member.
 6. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, and a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, the traction means comprising a manually operable mechanism contained in a housing mounted to the end of the frame member remote from the pressure member, and operatively connected to the movable member by a flexible cord.
 7. A splint according to claim 6 which further includes at least one support member slidably mounted to the frame member for securing to the limb at any desired position between the pressure member and the movable member.
 8. A splint comprising a substantially rigid elongate frame member for extending alongside the fractured limb, a movable member slidably mounted to the frame member and adapted for securing to the limb below the fracture, traction means for providing controlled advance of the movable member along the frame member away from the fracture, and a pressure member mounted to the frame member and adapted to engage a part of the patient above the fracture so that traction may be applied to the limb by the controlled advance of the movable member away from the fracture, the pressure member and the movable member located therebetween, being designed so that they can be mounted to the frame member in either of two ways corresponding to the use of the splint for a left-handed or a right-handed limb respectively. 